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Ryan Wedding has emerged as a notable figure in drug trafficking, drawing attention as a potential key player in the narcotics trade. The former Canadian Olympic snowboarder is now a fugitive, reportedly under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the world’s most powerful criminal organizations. This cartel has established extensive drug distribution networks across North America.
As Wedding’s name appears in various media outlets, sources within the cartel express skepticism about the narrative surrounding his involvement in drug trafficking. An operative affiliated with the Sinaloa cartel, speaking under condition of anonymity, suggested that the media has inflated Wedding’s significance to sensationalize his alleged criminal activities.
Media portrayal versus reality
The operative noted that he learned of Wedding’s notoriety through news outlets and social media. “His name has gone viral in these last few months; they say he’s the new Chapo,” he remarked, referencing Joaquín Guzmán Loera, the notorious former leader of the Sinaloa cartel.
He contended that U.S. media and law enforcement are constructing a narrative designed to engage the public, implying that capturing Wedding would be a crucial victory in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking. The operative expressed concern that authorities likely know Wedding’s location but are allowing the dramatic story to develop for heightened impact.
U.S. authorities and the $15 million bounty
The U.S. Justice Department has placed Wedding on its list of fugitives, asserting that he has been at large since 2015 and is believed to reside in Mexico. The FBI has added him to its list of ten most-wanted individuals, offering a reward of $15 million for information leading to his arrest.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has claimed that Wedding leads an organization responsible for transporting significant amounts of cocaine into the United States and Canada. However, the cartel operative expressed doubts about Wedding’s ability to manage such extensive operations without considerable local support, stating, “I think it’s too large of a job for a Canadian.”
Internal conflicts within the cartel
The Sinaloa cartel is currently experiencing a violent power struggle. This turmoil has intensified following the kidnapping of Ismael Zambada, a key figure in the cartel, orchestrated by Joaquín Guzmán López, one of Guzmán’s sons. Such internal conflicts may have undermined the cartel’s capacity to safeguard individuals like Wedding.
The operative indicated that the ongoing factional war has diverted focus from protecting external associates. “I don’t think the Sinaloa cartel could be protecting him right now because the cartel is going through circumstances that could lead to its collapse,” he explained.
The impact of violence on local communities
The infighting within the cartel has contributed to a surge in violence throughout the region, causing numerous casualties and displacing families. In response to the escalating conflict, the Mexican military and federal police have heightened their presence in Sinaloa, aiming to restore safety for the local population.
Maj.-Gen. Julices Julián González Calzada, overseeing operations in Sinaloa, emphasized that efforts are focused on addressing violence rather than specifically pursuing Wedding. He remarked, “I honestly have very little information about him,” underscoring that local concerns take precedence over external threats.
A historical context of the Sinaloa cartel
As Wedding’s name appears in various media outlets, sources within the cartel express skepticism about the narrative surrounding his involvement in drug trafficking. An operative affiliated with the Sinaloa cartel, speaking under condition of anonymity, suggested that the media has inflated Wedding’s significance to sensationalize his alleged criminal activities.0
As Wedding’s name appears in various media outlets, sources within the cartel express skepticism about the narrative surrounding his involvement in drug trafficking. An operative affiliated with the Sinaloa cartel, speaking under condition of anonymity, suggested that the media has inflated Wedding’s significance to sensationalize his alleged criminal activities.1
As Wedding’s name appears in various media outlets, sources within the cartel express skepticism about the narrative surrounding his involvement in drug trafficking. An operative affiliated with the Sinaloa cartel, speaking under condition of anonymity, suggested that the media has inflated Wedding’s significance to sensationalize his alleged criminal activities.2